Until Love Breaks Through

d nerves. The mannequins lining the walls are dressed in half-f

rely looking up. An assistant rummaged through a pile of

intern carrying armfuls of shoe heels clattering as one slips to the floor. A model stands in front o

es, oversized belts, and gloves that still needed stitching. His creative direct

snapped, even thou

ng was fast approaching. Despite the rush and cha

d to his assistant, Eva, and asked her to keep the model updated and

wail slicing through the air and igniting the crowd. The audi

ic presence. Every movement made the beautiful fabrics of John's designs ripple and shine under the lights, showcasing the artistry b

heir gazes fierce, daring the audience to look cl

ed the busy backstage, searching for her among the flurry of models in glittering d

in. She was supposed to be next on stage, and this wasn't just a minor mistake; it could

making the assistant drop what they were

s under the flickering light of a bare bulb. Mary felt her heart race as Max leaned her back against a stack of fabric, his hands firmly

t that drowned out all rational thoughts. The soft crea

ing her blouse, her face flushed with embarrassment. Behind her,

disappointment flickered in his eyes. He didn't need to ask what happened;

xed on the torn dress in Mary's hands. "Jo

ng limply in Mary's grip, with jagged tea

dress from her silently, his fingers brushing over t

r, the sound slicing through the tension in t

nto something entirely new. When he stepped back, the dress was transformed-a ma

old. "This is your last job," he said

way and the lights dimmed, antic

swelling into a thunderous ovation. Cheers echoed off the va

turned heads. His broad shoulders filled out the sharp lines of

strong jawline was clean-shaven, the kind of jaw that looked like it belonged on magazine covers,

e shirt, the movement was deliberate, almost hypnotic. Everything about him, from the way he carried himself to the subtle flash

g as he paused to take it all in. His smile was warm and genuine, but t

*

the music vibrated through the walls as Max found Joh

exclaimed, clapping him on the shoul

ng to grow up, Max? What am I supposed to do with you?" His tone car

hat cut through the noise. "Grow up? Never. Anyway, I'm

aning closer to hear the p

h the universe. "Your place, obviously! Let's keep the party going!" Hi

de his amusement. "You're impossible," he muttered, bu

*

at John's house. Max leaned back in his chair, a playful grin lighting up his face. "And don't forge

d under the glow of string lights, the surface reflecting the carefree energy of the n

the music. Her face was tight, her hands fidgeting

is it?" he asked, the laughter in his voice

Max before landing back on John.

glass. The tension in his jaw made the muscles in his f

as she whispered, "It's you

weight of her words. John's face went blank, his breath catching in his throat. The glass slipped